Nurse hails 'phenomenal' response to hospital fire

A health trust's chief nursing officer has praised the "phenomenal" response from the community after fire tore through a local hospital.

The blaze broke out at Malton and Norton District Hospital at about 11:15 BST on Wednesday, engulfing the Springwood unit which provides mental health services for older people.

York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said all 15 patients had been safely evacuated, with no reports of any injuries.

Joe Hague from the trust said: "It was an amazing response - really, really well put together and enacted."

A temporary ward was set up at Malton School and local businesses provided food and drink to tired volunteers.

Hague said: "Mr Williams, the head teacher, describes an amazing scene of looking out and seeing staff colleagues walking up the hill, pushing beds with patients in, and colleagues supporting with equipment that was needed to keep everyone safe."

The chief nursing officer said he did not know when the hospital would reopen, but added: "We're hoping it's not going to be a prolonged outage for the organisation or for the buildings."

He said patients with upcoming appointments should check the trust's website for further information.

Jason Aldrich, Mayor of Malton, said he had visited patients in the makeshift ward.

"Although understandably shaken, they were in good spirits and deeply appreciative of the care and kindness shown to them," he said.

"I want to express my sincere thanks to our emergency services, hospital staff, Malton School, local businesses, and every member of the public who went out of their way to help on what was a terrible day for our town.

"Your kindness, calmness and willingness to act will be a lasting memory for all involved."

North Yorkshire Fire & Rescue Service said the cause of the fire remained under investigation.

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